How does the earth's magnetic field stop radiation?

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SUMMARY

The Earth's magnetic field primarily protects against charged particles such as protons and electrons, not photons. Photons, which are massless and uncharged, do not interact with magnetic fields in the same way. The discussion clarifies that various types of radiation exist, including alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, with electromagnetic radiation being a wave that manifests as photons only upon interaction with matter. Understanding the electromagnetic spectrum is crucial for distinguishing between different radiation types.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic radiation and its properties
  • Knowledge of particle physics, specifically charged particles and their interactions
  • Familiarity with the electromagnetic spectrum and its components
  • Basic concepts of radiation types, including alpha, beta, and gamma radiation
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the electromagnetic spectrum and its structure, including gamma rays, X-rays, and other radiation types
  • Study the interactions of charged particles with magnetic fields
  • Learn about the different types of radiation and their sources, focusing on alpha, beta, and gamma radiation
  • Explore the principles of particle physics, particularly the behavior of photons and cosmic rays
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators, researchers in radiation safety, and anyone interested in understanding the interactions between magnetic fields and various forms of radiation.

Lunct
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To my understanding, photons have no charge, so how does the magnetic field control them.

Also side question - in the diagrams I see the photons seem to kind of curve around the magnetic field, does that mean they are accelerating?
 
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Lunct said:
To my understanding, photons have no charge, so how does the magnetic field control them.

Also side question - in the diagrams I see the photons seem to kind of curve around the magnetic field, does that mean they are accelerating?
I think you are confusing photons with cosmic rays
 
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Lunct said:
To my understanding, photons have no charge, so how does the magnetic field control them.

It doesn't. Earth's magnetic field stops charged particles like protons and electrons. The atmosphere is the main protection against high-energy EM radiation.

Lunct said:
Also side question - in the diagrams I see the photons seem to kind of curve around the magnetic field, does that mean they are accelerating?

I assume those are supposed to electrons or protons. Yes, they are accelerating as they curve around.
 
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phinds said:
I think you are confusing photons with cosmic rays
is all radiation not made out of photons?
 
Lunct said:
is all radiation not made out of photons?
Yes. I think you are confusing photons with cosmic radiation
 
Lunct said:
is all radiation not made out of photons?

No. There are several different types of radiation. Alpha, beta, gamma, neutron, and others. See here for more info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation
 
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Drakkith said:
No. There are several different types of radiation. Alpha, beta, gamma, neutron, and others.
There you go, proving me wrong again dammit :smile:

@Lunct do you now understand your error?
 
Drakkith said:
No. There are several different types of radiation. Alpha, beta, gamma, neutron, and others. See here for more info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation
The more you know the more you don't know.
 
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phinds said:
There you go, proving me wrong again dammit :smile:

@Lunct do you now understand your error?
yes. I feel enlightened
 
  • #10
Lunct said:
yes. I feel enlightened
Me too. I ALWAYS seem to forget that "radiation" is no limited to photons and I for some reason don't associate "cosmic radiation" with "normal radiation" (normal being the kind that IS made up of photons).

And by the way, it's not really correct to say that electromagnetic radiation is made up of photons. It isn't. It's a wave. It only becomes photons if/when it interacts with matter.
 
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  • #11
phinds said:
Me too. I ALWAYS seem to forget that "radiation" is no limited to photons and I for some reason don't associate "cosmic radiation" with "normal radiation" (normal being the kind that IS made up of photons).

And by the way, it's not really correct to say that electromagnetic radiation is made up of photons. It isn't. It's a wave. It only becomes photons if/when it interacts with matter.
you're right, I always talk about it being photons even though I know it is a wave.
 
  • #12
Also (relevant), it would help getting a good grasp and knowledge of the Electromagnetic spectrum (look it up) and its structure (composition). Starts with γ, X rays (radiation), which are actually EM radiation ... [Goes like: γ, X, ultraviolet, visible, infrared, microwaves, radio waves (as wavelength increases, or decreasing frequency) ...]

That will help put things in perspective and distinguish from other types of radiation.
[E.g. no other types of radiation are potentally related to / (composed of) photons, while EM types of radiation all do ...]
 
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  • #13
phinds said:
and I for some reason don't associate "cosmic radiation" with "normal radiation"

it's in the same class as your alpha and beta radiation ... protons and atomic nuclei

when growing up and before I had heard the term electromagnetic radiation
the "normal radiation" for me was that caused by nuclear decay alpha, beta, x-ray and gamma

I didn't know there were 2 separate classes there ... a and b / x and g
 
  • #14
davenn said:
it's in the same class as your alpha and beta radiation...
Wait a minute. MY alpha and beta radiation? I thought I had gotten rid of those pesky things.
 
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  • #15
phinds said:
Wait a minute. MY alpha and beta radiation? I thought I had gotten rid of those pesky things.
Beta is electrons. I'm sure you have a few! ...
 
  • #16
phinds said:
Wait a minute. MY alpha and beta radiation? I thought I had gotten rid of those pesky things.

alpha radiation is basically a helium nucleus, 2 protons and 2 neutrons
and as Stavros Kiri said, beta radiation is electrons

to be more specific, they are high speed /high energy electrons or positrons

Dave
 
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  • #17
davenn said:
to be more specific, they are high speed /high energy electrons or positrons
So he doesn't have any ... unless we put him in an accelerator! ...
 
  • #18
Stavros Kiri said:
So he doesn't have any

who ?
 
  • #19
davenn said:
who ?
Me. But don't even think about it !
 
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  • #20
davenn said:
who ?
phinds of course (read the previous) ...
e.g.
phinds said:
Wait a minute. MY alpha and beta radiation? I thought I had gotten rid of those pesky things.
Stavros Kiri said:
Beta is electrons. I'm sure you have a few! .
 
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  • #21
Stavros Kiri said:
phinds of course (read the previous) ...
e.g.
OK :smile: ... I initially didn't follow that ... too early in the morning :wink:
 
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  • #22
davenn said:
OK :smile: ... I initially didn't follow that ... too early in the morning :wink:
Yeah, yeah. Excuses, excuses. If you keep this up, you'll be as bad as @Drakkith :smile:
 
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  • #23
davenn said:
OK :smile: ... I initially didn't follow that ... too early in the morning :wink:
We'll see you after coffee Dave ... :woot:
(Just kidding)
 
  • #24
Stavros Kiri said:
So he doesn't have any ... unless we put him in an accelerator! ...
Why don't we?
davenn said:
who ?
phinds said:
Me. But don't even think about it !
Sounds like we have to fasten him with a rope first ... :smile:
 
  • #25
Stavros Kiri said:
Why don't we?Sounds like we have to fasten him with a rope first ... :smile:
GGRRRRRRRRR !
 
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